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Youth Need Community-Based Treatment, Not Jails

Megan Hadley

September 05, 2018 |

The Crime Report |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

The number of youth confined in U.S. detention facilities has dropped by nearly half since 1997, saving money and reducing recidivism. A report by the Justice Policy Institute says this has made communities safer, but that reductions are only among those accused of nonviolent crimes and that racial and ethnic disparities have increased. The report calls for changes, such as repealing state laws on mandatory sentences, offering better probation supervision and creating more diversion options.

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How 'the incarceration capital of America' embraced criminal justice reform

Frank Carlson William Brangham

August 31, 2018 |

PBS NewsHour |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

After years of being the incarceration capital of America, Louisiana began changing its laws in 2017 to cut the number of people in prison, prompting a drop of seven percent in the prison population and savings of $12 million. The funds will be reinvested in education, job training and other programs in prisons and jails for those about to be released. But many challenges remain, including stigma from employers and landlords, and skepticism by the state's attorney general.

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How the Formerly Incarcerated Support the Formerly Incarcerated

Zoe Sullivan

August 30, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

A nonprofit launched by formerly incarcerated men in New Orleans addresses some of the immediate challenges people face in the first 72 hours coming out of prison. The First 72 offers them a place to go, which can be a serious problem for those with records, as well as support and mentorship. There is also a small business incubator that some returnees have used to turn their side hustles into small businesses with plans to grow and employ other former felons.

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Big Tech's Newest Experiment in Criminal-Justice Reform

Alexis C. Madrigal

August 29, 2018 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Building on the Last Mile program that teaches inmates to code in some California prisons, Slack launched an apprenticeship program for the formerly incarcerated. It's a small initiative compared to the vast need, but organizers hope other companies will join the effort. While Last Mile graduates have stayed out of prison, it's been challenging for them to find actual coding jobs and critics say the effort does not addresses systemic issues around incarceration.

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'Girls who leave militias get rejected': helping child soldiers go home

Lucy Lamble

August 15, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Enrolling in school can help former girl soldiers reintegrate into society. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Child Soldiers International interviewed community members and former soldiers, and then shared this finding with local organizations to guide programming.

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Despite spike in shootings, a Chicago community gets a handle on violence

Nissa Rhee

August 08, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Chicago has seen a decline in violence, and one neighborhood in particular has led the way, nearly halving its shootings and homicides. Police in Englewood have changed how they work with the community and where they send officers, focusing on the places and people experiencing the most violence, informed by data and surveillance systems. Community organizations are also providing job training, services and counseling to those most likely to be caught up in the violence.

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An innovative approach to criminal justice reform: Put black women in charge

Timothy Pratt

August 03, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, South Fulton, Georgia

South Fulton is the only city in the U.S. to put black women in charge of its criminal justice system—from the judge, to the prosecutor, to the public defender. “The result: A focus on community policing, pretrial diversion programs and assigning public defenders to all cases.” Ultimately, the aim is to divert black people from entering the prison pipeline, and establishing a model that can be replicated in other cities.

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Expungement fairs build regional momentum while helping locals move past criminal backgrounds

Brianna Kelly

August 01, 2018 |

Concentrate |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Ypsilanti, Michigan

Michigan Works! Southeast is an organization that, among other things, is helping Michigan residents with criminal records get those records expunged in order to increase their job opportunities in the future. By simplifying this process, participants save money and time, making these fairs a more accessible option than using a lawyer. So far, two expungement fairs have been held that have attracted about 50 people, but there is talk of expanding to a statewide program.

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When mental illness leads to an arrest, this court steps in

Anita Wadhwani

July 28, 2018 |

The Tennessean |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Nashville, Tennessee

Non-violent offenders arrested during mental health episodes in Davidson County are sent to Mental Health Court rather than criminal court. Through this court, they are connected to safety net services such as housing, medication assistance, and therapy.

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Throw the books at them: How more training for Wisconsin's prisoners could help companies

David D. Haynes

July 26, 2018 |

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, the Department of Corrections is tailoring their prison education programs to meet the needs of the job market, and it is benefitting former inmates as well as the economy. Milwaukee Area Technical College works to get inmates credentials, which helps them get jobs upon release from prison. The investment pays off. For every dollar spent educating inmates, the government saves $5 in the years after their release.

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